Niavi  is an informal vocal group dedicated to singing the marvelous polyphonies of the republic of Georgia.   Georgian polyphony has a long and extremely rich history, and a capella polyphonic singing is an important part of Georgian cultural identity. Traditional songs depict many aspects of traditional Georgian culture --  love and courting, appreciation of beauty and customs surrounding hospitality, rollicking horseback rides, toil in the fields and even the pathos of the mountain warrior’s fate can be felt in these songs and their exquisite harmonies.

Inspired by and hoping to honor Georgian vocal traditions, Niavi sings in Georgian and other regional languages, and provides translations for English-speaking audiences.  We perform songs from many of Georgia’s regions,(Kartli, Kakheti, Svaneti, Imereti, Guria, Adjara, Tusheti,) and music from several other area ethnic groups, including a growing Mengrelian and Laz repertoire. We also sing selected sacred vocal pieces that are regularly performed by folklore ensembles, and make up part of the broader tapestry and of Georgian polyphonic music.  

Niavi  -- which means ‘breeze’ in the Georgian language -- was founded in the Washington, DC area in 2009, and includes amateur singers from around the metro area.  Many of the group’s members have lived or worked in the republic of Georgia, and all have sung in other formal and informal a capella ensembles.  Anyone interested in auditioning to join the group is welcome to contact the group’s organizer, Dee Harris, at niavi.ensemble@gmail.com.

For this concert at Creative Cauldron’s ArtSpace, Niavi has invited the vocal ensemble Slaveya (which performs both Bulgarian and Georgian folk music) to join them  in presenting songs from their Georgian repertoire.

Tickets: $5